Harry Eustace pinches first win over hurdles on a good day for Newmarket

Thursday: Huntingdon

Trainer Harry Eustace registered a landmark first winner over jumps when At A Pinch justified morning support in the 2m novice hurdle at the Cambridgeshire track, but he was not there to see it.

A winner on the Flat for the Gosdens, the 3-1 chance made a flawless switch to obstacles when coming from last to first to account for Uranus Des Bordes under Jack Quinlan.

Eustace's father James was an able stand-in for his son who had a good excuse for not being present. Eustace snr said: "Harry is far too sensible and is at a National Trainers Federation meeting in London. I would have come here instead, myself, but it's marvellous that the win has come just up the road from Newmarket."

At A Pinch was bought as a jumps prospect for 24,000gns at the horses-in-training sales, and Eustace added: "We call her the family horse. We at Park Lodge lease half of her from Andrew McGladdery, who is here today and is a vet at Rossdales. We only have three jumpers and we took one of the others, Astroman, out of the next race here as it was too soft."

HQ bonanza

A good day for Newmarket got even better after 25-1 chance Poker Master trumped 1-4 favourite Manucci in the 2m handicap hurdle.

The bottomweight is the sole jumper at Charlie McBride's yard which is one of the oldest at Headquarters.

Part-owner Ian Pattie was off to celebrate his win in style and with good reason, saying: "That's the first winner I've had with Charlie for 13 years. I like to come out and watch Charlie's team work on the gallops in Newmarket, but I can assure you I won't be out in the morning!"

Poker Master runs out an easy winner of the 2m handicap hurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

More for Moores

Gary Moore was leading trainer at the track for the 2020-21 season, and the Sussex trainer mopped up both chases on the card with Golden Boy Grey and Dorking Lad.

Both were ridden by his son Jamie, who said of Dorking Lad: "He was a bit cold early but usually races like that and the race rather fell apart.

"The team are going well, but I don't know about Cheltenham. I'll probably be back here on the Wednesday."

Golden Boy Grey is one of two winners on the card for Gary and Jamie MooreCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Pen power

Rex Dingle rode Pilsdon Pen as if he was always going to win the opening 2m4½f handicap hurdle, and he was proved right when the 13-8 favourite romped home for the in-form Jeremy Scott.

The five-year-old was at the opposite end of the market to when he was sent off 80-1 when registering his first hurdles success at Wincanton last month, and he may well have had excuses when beaten at Fontwell next time.

Police matter

Huntingdon have come under fire for their stable staff facilities of late, but efforts to improve the experience were hit by a theft only a few days ago.

Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: "We'd got two temporary toilet and shower units at the stableyard in place of the other facilities which are being refurbished after flood damage, but unfortunately they were stolen on Monday. It's all on CCTV and the police are investigating, but it's very annoying."

As well as the portakabins, the stableyard is also currently lacking some roofing which was blown off when Storm Eunice struck last Friday, and Duncan added: "We have nine boxes not in use at present as Eunice ripped the roof off them, but hopefully we should have them back in action shortly."

Results, replays and analysis

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